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Some By Mi vs Paula's Choice

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Some By Mi and Paula's Choice are two distinct skincare lines known for targeted formulations that address varied complexions. The Korean brand relies on niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid across its serums, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers to suit dry sensitive skin and skin with dark spots, whereas the American brand utilizes hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c to fit acne-prone skin and oily skin best. While both brands offer extensive cleansers, toners, and serums, Some By Mi focuses on soothing ingredients like centella asiatica, and Paula's Choice emphasizes barrier-supporting components like glycerin.

Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.

kedglobal.compreqin.comtracxn.com

Paula's Choice is an American skincare brand founded in 1995 and owned by Unilever since 2021.

unilever.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular Some By Mi and Paula's Choice products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Some By Mi vs Paula's Choice products

People Say

Some By MiPaula's Choice
  • Texture Smoothing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin becomes very smooth — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
    • “skin is insanely soft — Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA”
    • “skin never been this silky — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
    • “Skin became smoother — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue behind. — Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer”
    • “absorbs instantly — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “watery consistency — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
    • “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Fades dark spots — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
    • “skin looks visibly brighter — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
    • “visible glow — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “acne scars faded — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
  • Gentle Formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
    • “doesn't strip dry my skin — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Surprisingly gentle — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “Finally a vitamin C product I can use — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces pimples — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “cleared my cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam”
    • “Helped clear my cystic acne — Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser”
    • “heals blemishes faster — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Lasts 100 hours as claimed — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “Absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
    • “lightweight texture — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream”
    • “Provides an internal level of hydration without leaving any heavy finish. — Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner”
  • Strong Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like grain — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
    • “smells like hot dog water — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “weird glue-like smell — Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA”
    • “overwhelming citrus fragrance — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Too expensive for 50ml — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “tiny tube — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
  • Drying and Dehydration Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “not moisturizing enough — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
    • “Skin felt tight — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “peeling and flaking — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
    • “Not hydrating enough for winter. — Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer”

Some By Mi vs Paula's Choice routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Some By Mi vs Paula's Choice routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Some By Mi vs Paula's Choice routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice: which is better?

Some By Mi is better for sensitive, dry sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots because Lovi rates its fit as Superior for those types, whereas Paula's Choice is rated High or Average. Niacinamide in these products helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What is the difference between Some By Mi and Paula's Choice?

Some By Mi fits dry sensitive skin and skin with dark spots at a Superior level, while Paula's Choice fits them at an Average level. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice for dry skin?

Both Some By Mi and Paula's Choice fit dry skin well, offering a High routine fit level. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and niacinamide may improve skin aging and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice: which cleanser is better?

Both Some By Mi and Paula's Choice offer cleansers with strong ratings, but Some By Mi achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for skin with dark spots and mature skin with its Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser, whereas Paula's Choice reaches a Superior fit for oily acne-prone skin with its CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser.

Which is more affordable, Some By Mi or Paula's Choice?

Paula's Choice has a high price point as a negative review theme, whereas Some By Mi has a high price point mentioned as a negative review theme.

Between Some By Mi and Paula's Choice, which brand is better suited for dry sensitive skin?

Some By Mi is better suited for dry sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior while Paula's Choice is rated Average. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and soothe the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do Some By Mi and Paula's Choice compare regarding skin brightening and glow?

Some By Mi and Paula's Choice perform equally well regarding skin brightening and glow, according to the review themes on this page. Ingredients like niacinamide help reduce cutaneous pigmentation and support an even complexion.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand offers better options for treating dark spots, Some By Mi or Paula's Choice?

Some By Mi is better for treating dark spots, as Lovi rates its fit level as Superior compared to High for Paula's Choice. Niacinamide, which is found in both brands, may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice for oily skin?

Both Some By Mi and Paula's Choice offer a High routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page help manage oily skin with active ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, Some By Mi is a better fit for dry sensitive skin with a Superior rating, whereas Paula's Choice is rated Average for that skin type. Both brands feature fragrance-free moisturizer options on this page.

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice for sensitive skin?

Lovi rates Some By Mi as Superior and Paula's Choice as High for sensitive skin. Some By Mi stands out for providing a gentler formula, while Paula's Choice leans toward high-priced active options.

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice: which sunscreen is better?

Lovi rates the sunscreen from Some By Mi, the V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen, as having a High fit for oily skin, acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, and other skin types. Paula's Choice also features sunscreens such as the Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50, which Lovi rates as having a High fit for dry and combination skin, and an Average fit for sensitive skin.

Some By Mi or Paula's Choice for acne-prone skin?

Both Some By Mi and Paula's Choice achieve a High Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin. Paula's Choice features items like the CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser, while Some By Mi offers products such as the AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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